Bag closing machine



H. G. ALLEN 2,293,688

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Patented Aug. 18, 1942 BAG CLOSING MACHINE Howard G. Allen, Niagara Falls, N. Y., assigner to Bagpalglnc., New York, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Original application September 13, 1939, Serial No. 294,650. Divided and this application .October 8, 1941, SerialNo. 414,077

4 Claims.

The present invention relates to bag closing mechanism and more particularly to mechanism suitable to rapidlyY and effectively close and seal the open mouths of large heavy duty paper bags of the type capable of containing upwards of 100 pounds or more of a commodity.

This application is a division of my prior aprliication Serial No. 294,650, led September 13,

.It is an object of the present invention to providea machine of the type described which is exceedingly compact and which may be constructed at a relatively low cost.

It is a further object of the present invention to provideY a machine which will apply a line of stitching to the open mouth of a lled bag and which will securely apply an adhesive coated tape over the bag mouth and the line of stitching therein in order to form a strong, air-tight and sift-proof closure.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a machine having a normally continuously running conveyor upon which a filled bag may be positioned and a normally inoperative sewing head which is under the .control of'bag sensing mechanism whereby the sewing head becomes operative only when a bag is inposition to be operated upon by said sewing head.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide in a bag closing machine which includes a normally constantly running conveyor,

a normally inoperative sewing head adapted to be operated in response to the passage of a bag upon the conveyor to close the mouth of the bag by a line of stitching, a device for applying sealing tape to the` closed mouth and devices for severingY the line of stitching and the length of tape applied to the bag, a main control device which may be operated to stop all elements of the machine which may be operating at any given time.

It is a further object of the invention t0 provide, in a machine of the type described, devices for facilitating cleaning and rethreading of the tape applying portion of such machine.

It is a further object of the presentl invention toprovide means for disposing an excess length of thread chain into a position wherein it will be concealedV by a sealing tape.

It is a specic object of the present invention to provide an improved severing device and control and actuating means therefor for'causing the severing oi bag closure elements at a predetermined distance behind the trailing edge of a bag which has been closed by a machine of the class herein described,

Other and further objects ofthe present invention willappear more fully'upon consideration of the following detailed description of a preferred, but not necessarily the only form of the invention, taken in connection with the drawings accompanying'and .forminga part of the present specification.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is an elevational view'showing the general organization ofA the machine;

Fig. 2 is a horizontal' sectiontaken along the line 2--2 in Fig. l and showing details of the conveyor elevating mechanism;

Fig. 3 is van endelevation of the machine shown in Fig, 1;

Fig. 4 is a detailed. front elevation `of the bag closing stations `in the machines shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 isa vertical section taken along the line 5 5 of Fig. 4 and showing'details ofthe driving mechanism;

Fig. 6 is a horizontal section taken along the line 6-6 of Fig- 4;

Fig. 7 is a vertical section taken Yalong the line 'i--T 0f Fig. 4;

Figs. 8 and 9 are vertical sections taken along the line '8-8 of Fig. v4 illustrating two operative positions of the tape shearing mechanism;

Figs. 10 and 11 are detailed sections taken along the lines lss-lo and n n respectivdyfof Fig. 8;

Fig. 12 is a partial view similar to Fig.11 and showing the parts in a different, operated position;

Fig. 13 is an irregular horizontal sectional view taken along the line I3'3 of Fig. 4 and showing details of the tape applying-station of the maichine;

Ataken along the lines |8-l8 and I9-l9 respectively of Fig. 16 illustrating the operation of the mechanism shown in Figs. 13 to 17 inclusive;

Fig. 20 is a vertical section taken along the line 2K3-20 of Fig. 4 illustrating the thread shea mechanism;

Fig. 21 is a horizontal section taken along the line 2I-2I of Fig. 20;

Fig. 22 is a vertical section similar to Fig. 20 illustrating the actuating solenoid for the mechanism shown in Fig.

Fig, 23 is a vertical elevation with parts in section illustrating the clutch and brake controls for the sewing head, the solenoid for actuating the clutch and brake and a solenoid for the operation of the tape shear mechanism shown in Fig. 8;

Fig. 24 is a rear elevation of the clutch and brake mechanism shown in Fig. 23;

Fig. 25 is a wiring diagram;

Fig. 26 is a horizontal section taken along the line 26-26 of Fig. 4 illustrating the various bag actuated control devices for the machine;

Fig. 27 is a vertical section taken along the line 21-21 of Fig. 26;

Fig. 28 is a horizontal section taken along the line 28-28 of Fig. 27; and

Fig, 29 is a front elevation of a filled bag hav-l ing a completed closure thereon formed in the machine constituting the present invention.

Similar characters of reference indicate similar parts throughout the several views. Each of the sections have been taken in the direction indicated by the arrows accompanying the section lines.

General organization Referring now to Fig. 1 wherein there is shown a machine embodying the present invention, a base plate I0, which may be mounted upon suitable casters I2, has rising therefrom a pedestal I4 which serves as a main support for the bag closing mechanism. The base plate I0 has also rising therefrom a pa-ir of cylindrical columns I6 upon each of which is mounted a sleeve I8 adapted for vertical sliding movement upon the column. Each of the sleeves I8 is provided with a suitable locking collar which may be clamped by a bolt 20 to secure the sleeve in vertical position relative to the column I6. The sleeves I8 serve as supports for a conveyor frame 22 and vertical adjustment of the sleeves I8 relative to the columns IS adapts the machine for operation upon filled bags of different heights.

The sleeves I8 are each provided with outward extensions 24 which have suitable openings therein for the reception of support rods 26 (see Fig. 3) which extend forwardly to support the conveyor frame 22. The outward extensions 24 are each provided with a vertical bore which may be threaded internally, or, as shown in Fig. 3, may have seated therein a nut 28 adapted to threadably engage a vertically extending threaded rod passing therethrough. In Fig. 1 the right hand threaded rod 30 extends upwardly and carries in a convenient position a hand wheel 32. The lower end of the threaded rod 30 may be mounted in a suitable thrust bearing 34 carried by the base plate IIL As shown in the detailed Fig. 2, the threaded rod 30 extends below the thrust bearing 34 and carries at its lower extremity a sprocket wheel 36 about which is conducted a. sprocket chain 38 which meshes with a sprocket wheel 40 carried on the lower extremity of the left hand vertically extending threaded rod 42. The threaded rod 42 rests upon a suitable thrust bearing 44 carried by the base plate I0 and extends upwardly into threadable engagement with the extension 24 of the left hand sleeve I8.

The structure just described provides for convenient vertical adjustment of the conveyor frame 22 relative to the base plate IB. It will be understood that when it is desired to make a vertical adjustment of this frame, the lock bolts 2B on the sleeves I 8 will be loosened and that the hand wheel 32 will be rotated in an appropriate direction to raise or lower the right hand sleeve I8. The sprocket and chain connections 36, 38 and 4I) will cause the left hand threaded rod 42 to rotate with the rod 30 and, accordingly, both of the sleeves I8 may be vertically moved as desired. When proper adjusted position has been reached, the lock nuts 20 may be reset to avoid accidental displacement.

The conveyor frame 22 and the conveyor 46 thereon may be of any suitable type or design. The particular mechanism shown in the' drawings will be described hereinafter. For the purposes of a general understanding of the machine, it may be here stated that the conveyor 46 should preferably be continuously driven toward the left as viewed in Fig. 1 whenever the machine is in actual operation. It is also preferred to provide means for stopping the conveyor simultaneously with the other elements of the machine at any desired time. The mechanism for driving the conveyor and stopping the same when so desired will be explained in detail hereinafter.

In Fig. 1, a lled bag 48 is shown in position upon the conveyor 45. It will be understood that the conveyor frame 22 will have been adjusted to such a vertical position as to position the open mouth 50 of the bag 48 in proper alignment with the closure forming elements of the machine. In the operation of the machine the bag 48 is carried to the left as viewed in Fig. 1 and the open mouth thereof is conducted into a generally U-shaped guiding channel 52 which serves to guide the mouth 5G into proper alignment with a sewing head 54. As the bag is conducted to the sewing head, the leading edge of the bag mouth engages a control lever which is moved thereby to start the sewing head. As the bag moves through the sewing head 54, the mouth 50 is closed by a line of stitching. The stitching applied by the sewing head 54 may be of any type found suitable but it is preferred to apply a reinforcing cord and to form the stitches around the reinforcing cord and through the bag mouth as shown in United States Letters Patent No. 1,913,825 granted June 13, 1933. From the sewing head 54 the bag is conducted into a tape applying station indicated generally at 55 at which station a tape of crinkled kraft or other suitable paper or textile material is folded over and adhered to the sides of the bag mouth whereby to seal the open end of the bag and to seal the holes formed in the bag during the stitching operation. The bag mouth and the tape bent thereover are drawn through this station by suitable tape feeding rollers indicated generally at 58 which are so spaced from one another as to grip the combined thickness of a bag mouth and folded tape but to be incapable of gripping the tape alone. From the tape feeding rollers 58 the bag mouth is conducted through a series of squeezing rolls indicated generally at 60 which serve to apply suicient pressure to the tape and bag vmouth to permanently secure the tape in sealing position. When the trailing end of the bag mouth leaves the sewing head a control device is moved to stop the sewing head and to reset the starting control. A severing device, indicated generally at 62, is provided to clip the thread chain, comprising stitching and reinforcing cord, extending behind the bag mouth. The operation of this severing device may be initiated substantially simultaneous with stopping of the sewing head and to this end may be controlled by the control device provided for stopping of the sewing head. The bag then continues through the tape applying and squeezing stations as aforesaid and as the trailing end of the mouth 56 passes a suitably located control device an additional severing device, indicated generally at 64, is operated to clip the tape at a suitable distance from the trailing end of the bag mouth. After the bag passes completely through the squeeze rolls 6i] the closure is complete and the bag may be removed from the conveyor. It is a particular feature of the present invention that the starting and stopping of the sewing head and the operation of the thread c hain severing device and of the tape severing device are all under control of the leading or trailing end of the bag mouth. Accordingly, each of these mechanisms operate only when needed and operate in perfect timed relationship with the passage of the bag through the various stations. A machine controlled in the manner herein disclosed is of particular value in forming closures upon a series of bags which may be placed upon the conveyor 46 in an irregular manner.

The machine is preferably equipped with a readily accessible foot actuated means for temporarily stopping all of the elements of the machine which are in operation at any given moment. The stopping means herein disclosed is so designed that the machine may be stopped at will irrespective of the position of the bag therein and may be restarted to complete the closure without the necessity for readjustment or other manipulation of the bag. A preferred form of stopping means is disclosed herein comprising a clutch interposed between the .driving motor and the various devices driven thereby. This clutch is controlled by a foot treadle 66 which is adapted when depressed to disengage the clutch against the force of springs tending to maintain the clutch in engaged position. The machine may thus be temporarily stopped by depression of the foot treadle 66 and may be restarted by the removal of pressure therefrom.

riving mechanism The driving mechanism comprises a motor 68 suitably mounted upon brackets 'iii rising from the base plate lil. The motor 68 is provided with a pulley 'l2 about which is conducted a V-belt 'I4 which serves to drive a pulley 76 freely rotatable upon a shaft i8 (see Fig. 5) which extends into a speed reducer 86 containing suitable-geari ing for driving a shaft 82 at a suitably reduced speed. The gearing within the speed reducer 86 has not been shown as it is obvious that-any desired type of speed'reducing mechanism may be used. The slow speed shaft 62 is utilized to drive, through mechanism to be later described, the conveyor 66, the tape feeding rollers Y58, squeeze rolls 66 and the energy storing mechanisms for the severing devices.

A main clutch s4 is provided for optionally l' pulley 76 and constitute the driving side of the V V* clutch. The driven side of the clutch comprises a plurality of relatively movable rings 66 in alternate relation with the driving rings 86 and mounted for sliding movement upon a plurality of pins, not shown, secured to a flange 92 keyed to the shaft '18. A retaining ring 96 and a pulley 96 are keyed to the shaft 1S. rlhe pulley 96 and driven rings are thus mounted for rotation with the shaft 18. A clutch collar 63 is mounted for axial sliding movement upon the shaft 'I3 and serves, when shifted to the left as viewed in Fig. 5, to frictionally interengage the driving and driven rings 86 and 9) respectively. Suitable springs, not shown, serve to normally maintain the clutch collar in its leftward position `illustrated in Fig. 5. Suitable control mechanism is provided to shift the clutch collar 36 to the right as viewed in Fig. 5 to disengage the clutch. The structure thus described provides for optional driving connection between the motor driven pulley 'I6 and the gear box 86 and pulley 96. The pulley 96 serves through a V belt |66 to drive the sewing head 54.

In Fig. 3 there is shown the control mechanism for operation of the clutch 85. The clutch collar 98 is keyed against rotation upon a suitable non-rotatable collar surrounding the shaft '56, not shown, and is yprovided with radially extending pins |62 which are received in slots |64 formed in the ends of a yoke |66 pivoted at |68 to a suitable bracket on the main frame of the machine.

A lever H6 is fixed to the yoke |66 and forms therewith a bell crank rotatable about the pivot |68. A link ||2 is pivoted -as at H4 to the end of lever i6 and extends downwardly through the base plate i6 where its lower end is pivoted at H6 to a rock arm H8 fixed for rotation with a rock shaft |29 extending transversely of the base plate i6. The rock shaft |26 has also xed thereto for rotation therewith a pair of arms |22 which serve as supports for the treadle 66. Downward pressure upon the foot treadle 66 will rock the frame |22, |26, H8 to move the link ||2 upwardly and thereby to rock the bell crank H6, |66 in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. v3. This will result in a movement of the clutch collar SS to the left as viewed in said figure and will cause separation of the driving and driven clutch rings 86 and 9e respectively whereby to disengage the driving motor from the speed reducer and sewing yhead pulley 96. When pressure is released from the foot treadle 56 the clutch is permitted to reengage whereupon the various elements of the machine are connected in driving relation with the motor 6B.

The mechanism for driving the conveyor 6.6 comprises a gear |24 keyed, as shown in Fig. 5,

`to the low speed shaft 82 and meshing with a `housing |36 about a sprocket wheel |36 mounted for rotation upon a stub shaft |38 carried by the outer extremity of the housing |36. The stub shaft |38 extends forwardly from the housing 36 and pivotally supports a housing Idd within which is located a sprocket wheel lai-2 fixed upon the shaft |38.

housing Ido toa sprocket wheel |46 keyed to a drive shaft |46 extending through the conveyor -A sprocket chain Idil extendsV laround the sprocket wheel m2 and within the frame 22. The drive shaft |48 has keyed thereon a pair of conveyor drivingsprockets |50 which serve to drive the conveyor 46. At its opposite end the conveyor 46 may be conducted around suitable sprockets carried by an idler shaft |52 mounted in adjustable bearing blocks |54 horizontally slidable within slots |56 in the conveyor frame 22. Suitable mechanism indicated at |58 may be provided for securing the adjustable idler shaft |52 in proper adjusted position.

The mechanism just described provides for a constant driving relationship between the low speed shaft 82 and the conveyor 46 irrespective of the vertical position of the conveyor upon the frame of the machine. It will be seen that vertical movement of the conveyor frame 22 will result in rocking of the housings |30 and |40 together with the sprocket and chain devices therein about the shafts 82, |38 and |48 and that no disturbance of the driving relationship will occur.

Referring again to Fig. 5, it will be seen that the low speed shaft is also availed of to drive the tape feeding and squeezing stations of the machine. To this end the shaft 82 has fixed thereto a sprocket |60 which drives, through a sprocket chain |62 and sprocket wheel |64, a shaft |66 to which the sprocket wheel |64 is keyed. The shaft |66 carries at its opposite end a bevelled gear |68 which meshes with a similar bevelled gear keyed to a vertically extending shaft |12. At its upper end the shaft |12 carries a sprocket wheel |14 which drives a sprocket chain |16. The chain |16 passes around a sprocket |18 shown in Figs. 4 and 5 and` around -an additional sprocket wheel |80 shown in Fig. 4. The chain |16 describes a generally triangular path around the three sprocket wheels with which it meshes and suitable chain tightener mechanism may be provided if so desired. The sprocket |18 is xed upon the upper end of a vertically extending shaft |82 mounted for rotation within `suitable bearings formed in a bracket |83. At its lower end the shaft |82 carries one of the rear squeeze rolls |84 (see Fig. 5). The sprocket |80 is similarly fixed upon the upper end of a shaft |86 (see Fig. 6) which carries at its lower end another rear squeeze roll |88. The driving mechanism just described provides for the transmission of rotation from the low speed shaft 82 to the rear squeeze rolls |84 and |88.

The shaft |86 is extended upwardly beyond the sprocket |80 and carries a sprocket |90 about which is conducted a sprocket chain |92 which serves to drive a sprocket |94 mounted upon the upper end of a vertically extending shaft |96 (see Fig. 7) at whose lower end is mounted the rear tape feeding roller |98. The ratio between the diameters of the squeeze rolls and tape feeding rollers is taken in consideration in the design of the sprockets |90 and |94 in order that the peripheral speed of the rolls |84, |88 and |98 may be equal.

Each of the rear squeeze rolls |84 and |88 has resiliently pressed thereagainst a front squeeze roll. As shown in Fig. 6 a front squeeze roll 200 is mounted on the lower end of a vertically extending shaft 202 mounted for rotation within a bracket 204 pivoted at 206 to the bracket |83. The bracket 204 is provided with a perforated ear 208 in which is loosely received a bolt 2|0 extending through the bracket |83. An expansive spring 2|2 is confined between the ear 208 and a suitable nut 2 4 threadably received on the outer end of the bolt 2|0. The nut 2|4 may be adjusted to cause the spring 2|2 to exert a desired amount of resilient pressure upon the ear 208 and thus to press the squeeze roll 200 against the rear squeeze roll |84.

A front squeeze roll 2|6 is mounted upon a vertical drive shaft 2|1 and a spring pressed bracket 2 8 similar to the bracket 204. A spring 220 mounted in the same manner as the spring 2|2 serves to press the front squeeze roll 2|6 resiliently against the rear squeeze roll |88.

The drive shafts 202 and 2|1 are driven by gears 222 mounted upon the drive shafts |82 and |86 of the rear squeeze rolls. To this end, the shafts 202 and 2|1 are provided respectively with gears 226 and 228 (see Fig. 4) which mesh with the gears 222. The teeth of these intermeshing gears are made sufficiently deep to maintain driving relationship during normal operation of the squeeze rolls. The resilient mounting of the front squeeze rolls above described is provided to permit the rolls to exert pressure upon the completed bag closure and it is apparent that as the bag mouths are conducted between the rolls they will be separated against the'force of the springs 2|2, 220. As above described, the gears maintain driving relationship during such operation.

As shown in Fig. '1 a front tape feeding roller 230 is provided. The front roller is mounted upon a movable frame which will be hereinafter described. The roller 230 is mounted upon a vertical drive shaft 232 which carries at its upper end a gear 234 adapted to mesh with a gear 235 upon the vertical drive shaft |96 for the rear tape feeding roller |98. At the lower end of each of the shaftswlSE and 232 there is mounted respectively a sprocket Wheel 238 and 240. As shown in Figs. 16 and 1'1 these sprockets serve to drive a series of bag feeding rollers which operate to feed the bags through the tape forming station. These rollers will be described in detail hereinafter.

Bagl guiding and ,feeding mechanism Referring now to Fig. 4 there is shown an angle 242 mounted upon the upper end of the pedestal |4. The angle 242 serves as the main support or table upon which most of the mechanism heretofore described is supported. The intake bag guide 52 is mounted upon the angle 242 and comprises a generally vertical rear wall 244 against which the bag mouth may be manually pressed. Adjacent the sewing head 54 the guide 52 has formed thereon a forwardly projecting downturned lip 246 which forms, with the rear wall 244, a U-shaped channel through which the bag mouth may be conducted and accurately guided into proper position relative to the sewing head. It will be understood that the conveyor 46 will be adjusted to proper vertical position with respect to the particular size of the bag wherein the top of the bag mouth 50 will be lightly pressed upwardly into contact with the inner surface of the channel thus formed. The horizontal level of the bag mouth 50 is thus established by the intake guide and the closure forming devices of the machine are positioned to form a proper closure upon a bag mouth maintained at the level thus established.

The conveyor 46 progresses the bag to the left as viewed in Fig. 4, through the intake guide 52 and through the sewing head 54. The sewing head 54 may be of any suitable type. The particular head chosen for illustration is shown in full detail in Patent No. 2,043,149 granted June lFig. 19.

l2, 1936, and the particular design thereof forms no part of the present invention. The stitchforming mechanism is indicated at 55 in Fig. 4 and it will be understood that the mechanism 55 is operative to form suitable threads 51 (Fig. 1) into a chain of stitching. As the leading edge of the bag mouth 59 leaves the sewing head it enters an intermediate guide 248 which serves to maintain the bag in proper horizontal and vertical alignment for its travel through the tape applying station 56. The intermediate guide 248 is preferably formed as an inverted U-shaped channel and may be flared outwardly at the intake end as indicated at 258. The position of the guide 248 is shown in Fig. 4 and enlarged detail views are shown in Figs. 14 and 15. In Fig. 15 the intermediate guide 248 is shown in elevation from its intake end. As shown in Figs. 14 and I a suitable bracket 252 rising upwardly from the angle 242 serves to support the guide 248. Preferably the bracket 252 is curved as shown at 253 and is provided with a guide flange 255 outwardly flared to generally conform to the rounded shoulder of a filled bag.

As the leading end of the bag mouth 58 leaves the intermediate guide 248 it is conducted to a series of rear feeding rollers 256 and front feed- -ing rollers 254 (see Figs. 14 to 19 inclusive). The rear feeding rollers 256 are mounted upon stub shafts rotatably carried by a plate 258 which is supported by a bracket 266 fixed to the angle 242. Each of the rear rollers 256 is provided with a driving sprocket 252 of smaller diameter than that of the roller and a sprocket chain 264 eX- ;tends in driving relation around all of such :sprockets and into engagement with the sprocket i238 upon the lower end of the roller |98.

rear tape feeding 'Ihe front 4bag feeding rollers 254 are each pro- -vided with driving sprockets 266 similar to the sprockets 262 and a sprocket chain 268 extends ,in driving relationship with said sprockets and :with the sprocket 248 on the front tape feed roll lshaft 232. -tical stub shafts rotatably carried by a plate 218 The rollers 254 are mounted on ver- '(see Fig. 19) carried by a pair of spring plungers Expansive springs 286 are confined within Suitable lock nuts 282 may `be threaded The operation of the feeding rollers 254 and 256 upon the mouth of the bag is illustrated in As shown in said figure the feeding rollers are pressed into engagement with the bag mouth 58 at a level considerably below the upper edge `of the bag mouth. The actual distance from the upper edge of the bag mouth to vthe level of the feeding rollers is at least sufcient to permit the closure to be completely '.formed above the feeding rollers. .rollers are preferably knurled on their engaging -surfaces in order to increase their effectiveness. .As shown in Figs. 14 and 16 the tape feeding irollers |98 and 238 are provided with knurled roller portions which engage the lower portion of the bag mouth and serve as initial feeding :rollers whose operation precedes that of the .rollers 254 and 256. In Figgl'fi the knurled por- The feeding tion 284 upon the'rear tape feeding roll 198 is shown while in Fig. 16 the knurled portion 286 formed upon the front tape feeding roll 230 is shown. The cooperation of the knurled portions 284 and 286 with the b'a'g mouth 58 is illustrated in Fig. 18.

The sewing head As above described, the Vsewing head 54 is driven by the VV-belt |88 (see Fig. 4) which is selectively connected to the driving motor 68 by actuation of the main clutch 84. According to the present invention, the sewing head may be started and stopped not only by actuation of the main clutch 84 but also by actuation of a separate clutch provided exclusively for the control of the sewing head. This separate clutch includes a brake which operates upon the disengagement of the clutch to bring the sewing head to a rapid stop as will be morerfully described hereinafter. rIhe sewing head forms a chain of stitches about a reinforcing cord and such chain of stitches is continuously formed during operation of the sewing head whether or not a bag is positioned within the machine. In the present use of the sewing head the ba-g mouth is `stitched and the chain of stitches continues beyond the rear end of the bag mouth until the sewing head. is stopped. This rearwardly extending chain of stitches is severed at a predetermined distance behind the bag mouth by mechanisms which will be later described and it is accordingly desirable that the sewing head be stopped as rapidly as possible in Vorder that the chain of stitching extending -from the needle to the point of severance be as short )as possible. Accordingly, when the sewing Vhead is started and stopped incidental to the closing of a bag mouth, the separate clutch and brake mechanism is used. However, when the machine as a whole is stopped by disengagement of the main clutch the momentum of the bag upon the conveyor and the moving parts of the tape applying and squeezing stations will result in a certain amount of overrun or coasting. If the main clutch is disengaged while a bag mouth is in stitching position wthinthe sewing head, it is desirable that the sewing head be allowed to stop simultaneously with the other mechanisms whereby stitches will continue to -be formed through the period of overrun.

Referring now to Figs. 23 and 24, -a sewing head supporting bracket 288 is shown secured to the angle 242. The sewing head 54 is secured to the bracket 288 -in any desired manner as, for example, by bolts 298 and suitable bosses (not shown). A drive shaft 292 extends rearwardly from the upper portion of the sewing head 54 and it will be understood that rotation of the drive shaft 282 will result in operation of lthe stitch-forming mechanism 55 of the sewing head. 'The shaft 282 is connected by suitable coupling means (not shown) to the clutch and brake mechanism indicated generally at 294. The bracket 288 is extended upwardly and provided with suitable bearing supports for various parts of the clutch and brake mechanism. The clutch is substantially identical with the main `clutch 84 land comprises `a s'et of driving rings 296 secured for rotation with a pulley 298 which is driven by the V belt 186. The pulley 298 and driving rings 296 are freely rotatable upon a shaft 388 which is coupled as above stated with the drive shaft 282 'of the sewing head. The

Vdriven side of the clutch 'comprises a set of 'driven be laterally moved into frictional contact with the driving rings of the clutch by axial movement of a clutch collar 384. The clutch collar 304 has a pair of radially extending studs 306 which are received in the bifurcated ends 308 of a yoke 3&8 fixed to a shaft 3l2 rotatable on a rearward extension 3|4 of the bracket 288. As shown in Fig. 24, the shaft 3|2 extends beyond the support 314 and has fixed thereon a downwardly extending lever 3|6 which is pivotally connected through a link 3|8 to a lever 320 fulcrumed at 322 to an ear 324 formed on a stationary bracket. At its other end, the lever 328 is pivotally connected to a vertically movable plunger 326 extending into the box section of the pedestal i4. The plunger 326 is moved vertically between the full line position of Fig. 23 and the dotted line position of said gure by means which will be hereinafter described. Vertical movement of the plunger 326 in a downward direction into the dotted line position will result in movement of the link 3l8 to the left as viewed in Fig. 23 to rotate lthe lever 3|6 and rock shaft 3|2 together with the yoke 3H] in a clockwise direction to move the clutch collar 384 to the right, thus engaging the clutch to transmit rotary motion from the pulley 298 to the sewing head drive shaft 292.

The shaft 388 has fixed thereon adjacent its end which is coupled to the drive shaft 292 a brake drum 328. A brake shoe 330 having suitable friction surfacing 332 is freely pivoted upon the upper end of a lever 334 fixed to a rock shaft 336 pivoted in a suitable bearing 338 upon the bracket 288. At its opposite end the rock shaft 336 has xed thereto a lever 348 formed with a perforated extension 342. An elongated lbolt 344 extends through the perforation of the extension 342 and through a perforated ear 346 formed upon the lever 3|6. The brake shoe 330 is normally urged toward the brake drum 328 by a contractile spring 348 extending between a suitable anchorage 350 and the pivot 352 upon which the brake shoe is supported. When the lever 316 is rotated in a clockwise direction to engage the clutch elements, the ear 346 pulls downwardly upon the bolt 344 and rocks the rock shaft 336 in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 24. The brake shoe supporting lever 334 rocks in a clockwise direction with the rock shaft and raises the brake shoe against the force of spring 343 away from the brake drum 328. It will thus be seen that movement of the clutch into a position wherein the sewing head is to `be driven will result in release of the brake. When the plunger 326 is moved upwardly to its full line position shown in Fig. 23, the clutch will be disengaged and the spring 348 will be permitted to set the brake whereby to stop the sewing head immediately upon disengagement of the clutch.

Sewing head control Vertical movement of the plunger 326 to engage the sewing head clutch is produced by a solenoid 354 (Fig. 23) having an armature 356 pivoted at 358 to the lower end of the plunger 326. Energization of the solenoid 354 will result in movement of the armature 356 downwardly and through the pivotal connection 358 the plunger 326 will be drawn downwardly t engage the clutch. A contractile spring 360 is stretched between the anchorage 362 on the plunger 326 and an anchorage 364 secured to the pedestal I4. The contractile force of the spring 360 tends to raise the plunger 326 to the full line position of Fig. 23 wherein the clutch is disengaged and the brake is set. When ythe solenoid 354 is deenergized the spring 360 will return the clutch to disengaged position and will set the brake as above described.

In the wiring diagram shown in Fig. 25 the solenoid 354 is connected in series with a switch 366 adapted when closed to connect the solenoid across suitable electric power lines 368 and 310. A main switch 312 may -be interposed in the line 368, for example, and may be availed of to start the machine. A stop switch 314 may also be connected in series with the line 368, for example, and may be availed of to stop the machine. It will be understood that the switches 312 and 314 control all of the devices of the machine and are thus not limited to the control of the solenoid 354. In the following description it will be assumed that the switches 312 and 314 are in circuit closing position. According to the present invention the switch 366 is adapted to be controlled by the leading and trailing ends of the bag mouth 56 and the control mechanism is so designed that the leading end of the bag mouth closes the switch 366 to energize the solenoid 354 and thus to initiate operation of the sewing head. Additional control mechanism is provided whereby the trailing end of the bag mouth 50 causes opening of the switch 366 and the consequent stopping of the sewing head.

Referring now to Fig. 26 the switch 366 is shown and includes a control lever 316 which serves to move the contact elements of the switch into and out of the circuit closing position. The full line position of the lever 316 in Fig. 26 corresponds to the circuit opening position of the switch contacts while the dotted line position of this lever corresponds to the circuit closing position of the switch contacts. It will be understood that the switch 366 is provided with an internal spring (not shown) which serves to constantly urge the contacts into open position and thus to urge the lever 316 to its full line position. At its free end the lever 316 carries an anti-friction roll 318 which is adapted to bear against one arm 380 of a two-armed trip lever pivoted upon a post 382 supported upon the angle 242. The other arm 384 of the trip lever extends angularly across the path of the bag mouth through the machine. When the leading end of the bag mouth 50 progresses into engagement with the arm 384 it will rock the arm about the pivot 382. The length of the arm 364 is so chosen that the tip 386 thereof will ride over the leading end and will thereafter bear against the rear face of the bag mouth 50. The position thus assumed by the arm 384 is illustrated in dotted lines in Fig. 26. As the arm 384 is moved to its dotted line position the arm 380 is also moved to its dotted line position wherein the lever 316 is rocked to switch closing position. The arm 384 is so positioned in the path of the bag mouth '5D that it will serve to close the switch 366 just prior to the arrival of the leading end of the bag mouth at the center line of the stitch-forming mechanism 55 of the sewing head 54. The center line is illustrated in Fig. 26 as a dot-dash line 388 and it will be observed that the tip 386 of the arm 384 is moved into a position almost coinciding with said center line 388 by the leading end of the bag mouth. The exact position of the arm 384 is of course a matter of individual design. It is preferredto delay the starting of the sewing head to the utmost extent whereby the thread chain extending in front of the bag mouth will be no longer than is absolutely necessary.

Since the tip 386 of the control arm 334 lies ahead of the needle of the sewing head, it is apparent that it would be impractical to permit the return of the arm 384 to its full line position as a result of the passage of the trailing end of the bag mouth to disconnect the switch 366 for stopping the sewing head.v The operation of the sewing'head must continue until such time as the thread chain may be severed. Immediately upon severance of the thread chain from the bag mouth the sewing head may be stopped. Accordingly, the arm 336 of the control lever is extended rearwardly and has formed thereon a latch seat 396. A latch 392 is pivoted on a suitable support and is provided with a contractile spring 394 which tends to rock the latch in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 26. When the control lever is moved by the bag mouth into its dotted line position, the latch 362 underthe influence of its spring 394 will drop into -tlie seat 396 to hold the control lever in switch closing position. This position will be maintained until such time as it is desired to stop the sewing head. To this end a latch trip 396 is provided and in a manner to be hereinafter explained the latch trip 396 is moved to release the latch 392 during the operation of the thread chain severing device. VThe latch trip 396 serves to move the latch 362 to its full line position in Fig. 26 wherein the control lever 386, 384 is free to swing to its full line position wherein the sewing head clutch is disengaged and the brake is set.

Thread chain severing device The thread chain severing device indicated generally at 62 in Figs. l and 4 is shown in detail in Figs. 20 and 21 and the control mechanism therefor is shown in Fig. 22. This severing device is similar in its essential design to the tape severing device 64 which is shown in much greater detail in Figs. 8 to 12 inclusive. Certain structural details of the thread chain severing device will more clearly be understood after a reading of the description of the tape severing device which appears hereinafter. Referring now to Fig. 20, the thread severing device comprises a xed blade 398 land a movable blade 466 pivotally supported by a stud 462 rotatable within a suitable opening in a vertical support plate 464 which forms one leg' of an angular bracket whose horizontal leg is indicated at 466. The bracket 466 is secured in any suitable manner to the angle 242. The stud 462v is provided at its free end with a pin 468 which serves to retain a washer 416 between which and the support plate 464 is confined an expansive spring 412. The spring 412 serves to yieldably press the movable blade 466 into contact with the stationary blade' 398 in order that said blades may cooperate as a shear.

In a position above the pivot 462 the movable blade 466 is pivotally connected as at 414 with the forward end of a link 416 secured to a plunger 418 which is guided for sliding motion within a lug 426 secured to the vertical support plate 464. The plunger 4i 8 is provided at its forward end with a threaded portion upon which is threaded a nut 422 and the internally threaded sleeve 424 forming a part of the link 416. The nut 422 and sleeve 424 confine between them a web 426 of an angular bridge member whose other web 428 extends rearwardly and generally parallel to the plunger 418. Beneath the plunger 418 there is located a similar plunger 436 having a threaded portion at its forward end'which receives a pair of nuts 432 and 434 4whichlserve to secure the plunger to the web 426. The plunger 436 is guided for sliding movement in the lug 426. An expansive spring 436 is positioned on the plunger 418 and is confined between the nut 422 and lug 426 to urge the plunger 418 to the left as viewed in Fig. 26. A similar expansive spring 438 is positioned upon the plunger 436 and its expansive force is added to that of the spring 436 through the medium of the web 426. The combined force of the springs 436 and 438 serves to rock the movable blade 466 in a counter-clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 20 whereby to bring said blade into cutting relationship with the fixed blade 398.

At their rear ends the plungers 418 and 436 are joined by a vertically extending web of a bridge member 4411 which is perforated for the passage of the plungers therethrough and which is confined between apair of nuts 442 and 444 upon the plunger 418 and a pair of nuts 446 and 448 upon the plunger 436. Thus, the plungers 418 and 436 and the bridge members 426 and 446 form a rigid rectangular frame which is urged by the springs 436 and 438 to the left as above described. A threaded opening is provided in the web 440 intermediate the plungers 418 and 436. This opening receives a screw 456 whose forward end 451 is aligned for contact with the lug 426. The screw 456 may be adjusted to serve as a limit stop to determine the extent of leftward movement of the rectangular frame. A suitable lock nut 452 may be threaded upon the screw 456 to lock the same in adjusted position.

In Fig. 20 the severing device is illustrated in an'open or cocked position. In this position the springs 436 and 438 are compressed and the plungers 4%6 and 436 have been moved rearwardly by mechanism to be hereinafter described in connection with the tape severing device. The severing mechanism is latched in this cocked position by the coperation of a lug 454 formed upon the web 428 and a latch seat 456 formed in a lever 458 pivoted at 466 upon the vertical support plate 464. The lever 458 extends rearwardly and is pivoted at 462 to a vertical plunger 464. Downward movement of the plunger 464 will serve to withdraw the latch seat 456 from the lug 454 whereupon the plungers 418 and 436 will be projected by the springs 436 and 438 to the left as viewed in Fig. 20. The link 416 will thereupon serve to rock the movable blade 466 about its pivot 462 to perform the shearing operation.

The latch trip 396, which has been discussed in connection with Fig. 26, is shown in Fig. 20 as a downward extension of the bridge member 446. In Fig. 20 the latch 362 is shown in a full line position which corresponds to the dotted posi` tion of this latch in Fig. 26. In Fig. 20 the latch 392 is disposed in the path of the latch trip 396 and upon forward movement of the shear actuat ing frame the trip 396 will move the latch 392 forwardly into its dotted line position. As explained above in connection with Fig. 26, forward movement of the latch 392 serves to release the control arm 366 and to result in stopping of the sewinghead. The apparatus just described therefore provides for operation of the thread chain severing device to sever the chain of stitches extending behind the trailing end of the bag mouth 56 and simultaneously to stop the sewing head.

Control of thread severing device As above stated the thread severing device is released for operation by vertical movement of the plunger 464 extending into the box section of the pedestals I4. As shown in Fig. 22, the plunger 464 has pivoted to its lower end an armature 466 of a solenoid 468 mounted within the box section I4. A contractile spring 416 is stretched between an anchorage 412 upon the plunger 464 and an anchorage 414 secured to the pedestal I4. The spring 416 tends to maintain the plunger 464 in its upper position wherein the latch seat 456 is positioned for engagement with the lug 454 of the shear actuating frame. Upon energization of the solenoid 468 the armature 466 and link 464 will be drawn downwardly to release the latch 454, 456 for the purpose described.

Referring now to Fig. 25 it will be seen that the solenoid 468 is connected in series with a switch 416 adapted when in circuit closing position to connect the solenoid across the power lines 368, 316. The switch 416 is shown in Fig. 4 in a position beneath the horizontal portion of the angle 242. anism for the switch 416 is shown. In said figures a rock shaft 418 extends from the body of the switch 416 and counter-clockwise rotation of the rock shaft 418 is eifective to close the contacts (not shown) within the switch 416. A lever 486 is secured to the rock shaft 418 and a spring 482 is stretched between an extension of the lever 488 and a suitable anchorage 484 upon the angle 242. The spring 482 is a contractile spring whose force tends to swing the lever 386 and rock shaft 418 in a clockwise direction to maintain the switch contacts in open position. The lever 486 is provided with an anti-friction roller 486 positioned in the path of a pass-by pawl 488 provided with a seat 496 in which the roller 486 is adapted to fit. The pass-by pawl is loosely pivoted at its forward end to a control lever 492 and is supported for longitudinal sliding motion by a bridge 494 secured in spaced relationship below the horizontal leg of the angle 242 by screws 486 extending into a pair of studs 488 spaced from one another a distance slightly greater than the width of the pawl 488. The control lever 492 is pivoted upon a post 566 secured to the angle 242 and is located above the horizontal surface of said angle. The pivotal connection between the lever 492 and pass-by pawl 488 therefore comprises a stud 582 extending downwardly from the lever 492 and a screw 564 extending loosely through the end of the pawl 488 and only partially threaded into the stud 562. The pawl 488 is thus capable of limited universal movement relative to the lever 492. The pawl 488 is loosely confined to a path intersecting the roller 486 by the bridge supporting studs 498. A plunger 566 is pivoted at 588 to the control lever 492 and is provided with locking adjustment nuts 556 which confine an expansive spring 5I2 between said nuts and a ange 5I3, formed upon the switch body 416 which is perforated to slidably receive the plunger 566. The expansive force of the spring 5I2 tends to rock the control lever 492 in a counter-clockwise direction as viewed in Figs. 26 and 28. The control lever carries an extension 5I4 which is biased into the path of the bag mouth 56 by the action of the spring 5I2. When the leading end of the bag mouth contacts the control lever extension 5I4 it will rock the control lever 482 in a clockwise direction and will move the pass-by pawl 488 rearwardly In Figs. 26 and 28 the control mechof the machine and when the trailing end of the bag mouth passes beyond the extension 5I4 the spring 5I2 will rock the lever 482 to move the pawl 488 forwardly of the machine.

As shown in Fig. 2'7 the rear end of the pass-by pawl 488 is provided with an upturned portion 5I6 which serves to cam the pawl 488 upwardly upon rearward movement thereof into contact with the roller 486. Thus, upon rearward movement of the pass-by pawl 488 from the position indicated at 488A in Fig. 27 the rear end thereof cams upwardly into the position illustrated in full lines in said gure. Continued rearward motion will position the seat 496 over the roller 486 whereupon the pawl will drop into the position indicated at 488-B in Fig. 2'1. When the roller 486 is thus seated, forward motion of the pawl 488 under influence of spring 5I2 will cause counterclockwise movement of the lever 486 and rock shaft 418 to move the switch contacts into circuit closing position. The operation of the pawl 488 to thus close the switch 416 is illustrated in Fig. 28 wherein the spring 5I2 is illustrated as rocking the lever 482 and pulling the pawl 488 forwardly. The seat 496 is shown engaging the roller 486 and the lever 486 is shown in a partially rocked position. Further forward movement of the pawl 488 will result in further rocking of the lever 486 and movement of the roller 486 out of the path of the pawl whereupon the lever 486 will be immediately returned to switch opening position by the spring As the bag mouth 56 contacts the extension 5I4 the pawl 488 is moved rearwardly into operative position. Such movement does not, however, have any effect upon the switch 416; it merely serves to condition the control device for operation by the trailing end of the bag mouth. So long as the bag mouth 56 remains in a position to maintain the extension 5I4 in its rearward position the switch actuating device remains cocked. When the trailing end of the'bag mouth 56 passes beyond the extension 5I4 the lever 482 will be permitted to swing forwardly under the influence of spring 5I2 to close the switch 416 for a short period of time and to release the switch for return to circuit opening position. The momentary closing of the switch 416 serves to energize the solenoid 468, shown in Fig. 22, whereupon the latch 454, 456 is released to cause operation of the thread chain severing device and release of the sewing head control switch latch 382. It will thus be seen that the actual work done by the bag mouth consists in the compression of the spring 5I2. This spring may be quite light as it is necessary only for it to overcome the frictional resistance of the pawl 488 and switch 416 together with the contractile force of the spring 482. The various parts may be carefully machined whereby to reduce friction to a minimum and consequently the force required to swing the lever 5I4 to a position to cock the switch actuating mechanism may be very slight. It is of great importance to so construct a bag actuated trip as to place a very light demand upon the bag mouth. Any heavy frictional drag will tend to crumple or otherwise disarrange the bag mouth and thus to increase the danger of the formation of an imperfect closure. The control lever 384 may also be Very light in action as it is necessary only for this lever to move the switch control lever 316 of the switch 366.

The extension 5I4 is so proportioned relative to the path of the bag through the machine that passage of the bag mouth therebeyond and the subsequent shearing action of the blades 398 and 450 will sever the chain of stitching behind the trailing edge of the bag mouth. The particular length of the extension 5l4 may of course be varied to proportionately vary the length of the chain of stitching extending rearwardly of the bag mouth.

Thread Chain intuclcz'ng device It is obvious that a length of thread chain will extend from the point of severance back to the stitch forming mechanism of the sewing head 54 and that the length of this thread chain will be dependent upon the lateral spacing between the chain severing device and the stitch forming mechanism. From a practical standpoint it has been found that the severing device cannot be conveniently located close enough to the sewing head as to limit the length of this thread chain to a length consistent with good appearance of the bag. From the standpoint of appearance, it is desirable that the length of the thread chain and closure tape extending from the leading and trailing ends of the bag mouth should be substantially equal and not more than 11/2 to 2 inches in length. It has been found impractical t locate the shearing mechanism suiciently close t0 the stitching mechanism as to leave such a short chain for attachment to the leading edge of a succeeding bag. Accordingly, the present invention includes a device for tucking the necessarily overlong thread chain on the leading edge of each bag backwardly into a substantial parallelism with the line of stitching of the bag mouth and substantially coinciding with said line of stitching whereby the thread chain will be entirely concealed by the sealing tape later applied.

Referring now to Figs. 16, l'land 19, there yis illustrated a form of guiding device for tucking the forwardly extending thread chain into the position above described. In each of Figs. 16 and 1'? the bag progresses from left to right while in Fig. 19 the bag is progressing rearwardly of the plane of said ligure. In Fig. 16 the bag mouth 55 is illustrated in a position wherein the leading end thereof has just entered the intermediate guide 243. in the bag mouth while a chain of stitching and reinforcing cord l8 is shown protruding from the leading end of the bag mouth. For the purposes of illustration the reinforcing cord 520 is illustrated as positioned upon the front face of the bag although it will be understood that such cord may be applied to the rear face or may be applied to both faces, if so desired. It will also be understood that the reinforcing cord may be omitted entirely. The wordsl thread chain as used hereinafter are therefore intended to include a chain of stitching thread alone or a chain of stitching thread associated with one or more reinforcing cords.

The thread chain may protrude forwardly or rearwardly of the plane of the bag mouth and may extend upwardly or downwardly from the level cf the line of stitches formed in the bag mouth. Accordingly, means are provided to engage the thread chain and turn it rearwardly irrespective of the particular position it may have assumed. As shown in Fig. 16, an inclined guide shoe 522 is supported upon the forward bag feeding relier' frame and the inclined face 524 thereof is positioned for engagement with a thread chain 5H! which protrudes forwardly of the bag mouth and which extends either upwardly or A line of stitching 5I5 is shown downwardly of the line of stitching 546. As the bag progresses through the machine the thread chain may engage some portion of the edge 524 or an upper horizontal portion 526 formed upon the guide shoe 522. As shownV in Fig. 17 the guide shoe is flared, as at 528, inwardly toward the path of the bag mouth. Below the plane of the portion 525 there is provided a shelf 530 which extends inwardly toward the bag mou-th as closely as practicable. As the bag progresses into the vicinity of the are 528 frictional drag between the thread chain and the portion of the guide shoe with which it engages will bend the thread chain b-ackwardly from the leading end of the bag mouth, and upon `further progress of the bag the thread chain will rest upon the shelf 530 in the reversed position illustrated in Fig. 17. A

channel 532 having a lower, inwardly extending ange 534 is secured to the guide shoe 522 in such position that the lower ange 534 forms a substantial continuation of the shelf 53D. An upper inwardly extending flange 536 of the channel forms a substantial continuation of the upper surface 525 of the guide shoe. Preferably the upper flange inclines downwardly toward the lower flange 534 as illustrated in Fig. 16 in order to urge the thread chain downwardly into alignment with the line of stitching 5H:` formed in the bag mouth. It will be understood'that the shelf 53E) and lower flange 534 will be preferably arranged in a position lying just beneath the line of stitching 5 l 5. The channel 532 extends in the direction of travel of the bag mouth for a distance sufcient to insure the maintenance of the thread chain in its reversely bent position until such time as the sealing tape will be formed into substantial contact with the bag mouth. 'I'he sealing tape will thereafter serve to maintain the thread chain in the position thus assumed.

In Fig. 19 the thread chain 5I8 is shown in its position within the channel 532. An inspection of this figure will disclose that the tape forming mechanism has started its operation of folding the tape downwardly for contact over the line of stitching and the thread chain 5l8. In Fig. 18 the bag has progressed to a position wherein the' thread chain has passed beyond the channel 534 and wherein the sealing tape has been folded down into a position in which it will serve to maintain the thread chain in its rearwardly tucked position.

In Figs. 14 and 1'7 there is illustrated an additional channel 538 located on the rearward side of the bag mouth. This channel is provided to control a thread chain which may protrude rearwardly of the bag mouth and is substantially identical in design and support to the channel 532. The supporting structure 252 for the intermediate guide 248 is provided with an inclined edge 540 similar to the edge 524 ofthe forward guide shoe 522 (see Fig. 16) to turn a rearwardly protruding thread chain backwardly upon the rear face of the bag mouth 56. It will be understood that when a reinforcing cord 52D Vis placed on the forward face of the bag mouth, this cord will be bent around the leading end of the bag mouth and will extend backwardly in close proximity with the line of stitching 5I6.

In Figs. 15 and 19 the front channel 532 and the rear channel 558 are shown in relationship to the other parts of the machine. The operation of the rearward channel 538 has not been shown in the drawings since it will be clearly understood from the above description. While in the above descriptionl it has been stated that the` thread chain |8 might extend upwardly from the level of the line of stitching 5|6 it will be appreciated that such extension will be quite unlikely to occur. The thread chain with or without a reinforcing cord will be more or less flexible and under ordinary circumstances will tend to extend downwardly as shown in Fig. 16. If the thread chain should extend downwardly and should protrude directly forward of the bag mouth the shelf 53|) will engage and turn the thread chain backwardly. If the thread chain should extend upwardly it will be engaged by the leading edge of the upper channel flange of either the front or rear channel. If by chance the thread chain should protrude in such manner as to engage none of the edges the downward inclination of the upper flanges of the channels 532 and 538 will produce sufficient friction upon the chain to turn it backwardly after it has entered one or the other of said channels.

From the above description it will be seen that there is provided a plurality of stationary elements against one or more of which the thread chain will necessarily be engaged. It is only necessary that the chain engage any one of these elements in order that it may be turned backwardly and guided by the channels into the desired position.

Tape applying mechanism Referring back to Fig. l there is shown a tape supply spool 542 which is mounted for rotation upon a suitable bracket 544 supported on the frame of the machine. The tape 546 is of sufficient width to be creased longitudinally of its center line and to extend downwardly on either side of the bag mouth for a distance suicient .to completely cover the line of stitching and to provide sufcient area for secure adhesion to the walls of the bag mouth. A brief reference to Fig. .29 will disclose the tape 545 in its final position upon a completed bag closure. Referring now to Fig. 4 the tape 546 is conducted through a suitable adhesive applying device 546 which may comprise an adhesive supply well 55D in which a suitab-le quantity of adhesive may be maintained. A dip roller 552 is arranged to dip into the adhesive within the well 550 while a cooperating spring Amounted pressure roller 554 is adapted to press the tape 546 into contact with the upper surface e of the dip roller 552. Adhesive is transferred from the well to one face of the tape 546 by the cooperating rollers 552 and 554 in an old and well known manner. From the adhesive applying rollers the tape is guided over a suitable guide roller` 556 rotatably mounted upon the adhesive well body 550. The tape 546 is then conducted through a guide tube 553 of suitable rectangular cross section supported upon a bracket 560 rotatably carried by a fixed bracket 562 mounted upon the machine frame. Rotation of the bracket 560 relative to the frame is provided for thepurposes of adjustment of the guide tube 558 into proper alignment with the tape. From the tube 558 the tape 546 is conducted around a freely rotatable guide roller 564 mounted upon brackets 565 to be hereinafter described, and is turned by this roller into a generally horizontal position overlying the path of the bag mouths with the Vadhesive carrying side facing downwardly.

Referring to Figs. 14 to 19 the tape former will now be described. The tape former comprises an inverted generally U-shaped channel whose walls progressively converge upon one another from a substantially flat condition at the introductory end shown in Fig. 15 to the closely converged condition at the trailing end illustrated in Fig. 18. The main body of the tape former is indicated by the reference numeral 566 and the outer edges thereof are preferably turned inwardly upon themselves to form guide flanges 568 within which the edges of the tape are supported and guided. As shown in Fig. 14, the tape 546 is conducted from the guide roller 564 into the leading end of the tape former 566 and at this point is substantially transversely flat. Reference to Fig. 15 will disclose that the leading end of the tape former 566 is provided with an upwardly flared lip 510 to facilitate passage of the tape into the former. The former 566 is supported by mechanism to be hereinafter described in a downwardly inclined position in which the trailing end is yieldably urged into contact with the top of the bag mouth 56 whereby as the tape is progressively bent along its longitudinal center line it is also progressively projected downwardly into contact with the top of the bag mouth. Thus, in Fig. 19 the tape 546 is illustrated as partially bent along its longitudinal center and has partially moved downwardly toward the bag mouth while in Fig. 18 the tape has been sharply creased along its longitudinal center and has been projected downwardly into contact with the upper edge of the bag mouth.

The tape feeding rollers |98 and 236 are supported upon their vertical drive shafts |96 and 232 respectively at a fixed horizontal spacing such that the thickness of the tape alone will be insufficient to ll the gap between the feeding rollers and consequently the constant rotation of said rollers will be ineffective to produce movement of the tape alone. However, when a bag mouth is progressed through the tape forming station and into the tape feeding rollers the combined thickness of the bag mouth and the doubled tape will be suicient to fill the gap between the rollers |98 and 239 whereupon said rollers will be effective to grip and feed the bag mouth and tape positioned thereon. Preferably, the rollers |98 and 230 are annularly grooved as indicated at 512 in a vertical position coinciding with the vertical position of the line of stitching applied to the bag mouth. These annular grooves are provided to relieve the pressure along the line of stitching and to permit the rollers |98 and 236 to grip and apply pressure to the portions of the bag mouth and sealing tape lying above and below such line of stitching.

The mechanism thus described provides for automatic application of tape to a bag mouth as the same progresses through the tape applying station and provides for feeding of the taped bag mouth while avoiding the feeding of tape alone.

Tape former support The tape former is supported by mechanism which is designed to facilitate removal of the tape former for cleaning and for threading tape therethrough when it is necessary to start a new supply roller 542 of tape into the machine. To this end, as shown particularly in Figs. 13 and 14, the leading end of the tape former 566 is pivotally supported upon a shaft 514 passing through a boss 516 formed upon a casting 518, to which the tape former 566 may be secured as by screws 580, and into a boss 582 formed upon the bracket 260. A locking pin 584 extends through the boss 562 and into the opening therein which receives the shaft 514. The shaft 514 is formed with an annularly reduced portion 586 and an 

